St Doulagh's Church

St. Doulagh's Church is situated approximately 6 miles from Dublin city, is the oldest stone roofed church still in use in Ireland. Like the Abbey it is also a remarkable building. The oldest part of the church as it stands is medieval, dating from the 12th century. However according to studies on the site it dates back to the time of St. Patrick. Of St. Doulagh who gave his name to the church very little is known. It is calculated that he lived in the early 7th century.

St. Doulagh was a hermit/anchorite. He lived isolated in a cell attached to the church and had only minimal contact with the outside world. Anchoritism was a feature of the Celtic church and one of many interesting points between Ireland and the eastern church.

In the 19th century there was some dispute over the existence of St. Doulagh some thinking that he was in fact the 10th century Viking god, Olave. However it is now known that he did exist. It was also thought that the actual church may have been built by Vikings but again it was proved due to the methods of construction that the Irish built it. The features of the church were not those of Viking structures.